Dear Friends,
As a member of J Street’s staff, and an Israeli now living in the United States, I couldn’t be more worried right now about the future of my country -- and about the survival of its democracy. A significant contingent of J Street’s staff, both across the US and our Israel office, are Israeli citizens -- and I know they feel the same way.
The radical “judicial reform” plan proposed by the Netanyahu government is a transparent attempt to totally undermine the independence of the Israeli judiciary, and to trample on the rule of law itself. By allowing a simple majority in the Israeli parliament to override Supreme Court decisions, it would erode the separation of powers -- a key pillar of liberal democracy.
This plan is deeply disturbing -- as is the Netanyahu government’s broad far-right agenda to deepen occupation, ostracize minorities, and diminish and demean the religious freedoms of non-Orthodox Jews.
At the same time, the incredible Israeli protest movement that has mobilized to fight the government’s agenda has filled me, my family, friends, and colleagues with hope.
Together, we have hope that a diverse and broad coalition of Israelis can take to the streets and stand together to say “enough is enough.” Hope that new corners of Israeli society are finally waking up to the dangers posed by our drift towards authoritarianism and ultra-nationalism, and are ready to struggle for democratic institutions and values.
As more and more expat Israelis and pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans are also mobilizing for this struggle, we also want to take to the streets to show our solidarity with those marching and protesting back home.
This weekend and next, rallies for Israeli democracy will be held in many cities across the US and Canada, and in other major cities around the world. I personally am proud to be among those organizing the rally in New York City -- and excited that so many of my colleagues and other members of our J Street family across the country are also planning to join in.
Though these grassroots rallies are not being officially organized or sponsored by J Street, we still wanted to let you know where they’re scheduled to happen -- and encourage you to join if you can! Below, you’ll see a list of cities in North America where rallies are set to take place this weekend, and next weekend as well.
For those who don’t have a rally scheduled near them, or can’t attend one due to Shabbat observance or any other reason, don’t worry! By continuing to stand with the pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy movement, you’re demonstrating every day that you care deeply about the future of Israelis and Palestinians, and about the survival and resilience of our democracy.
If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
Shany Granot-Lubaton
Assistant Regional Director, J Street
Pro-Democracy Rallies in the US and Canada
- Boston
- Date: Sunday, January 29
- Time: 11am
- Location: Across from the Israeli Consulate 20 Park Plaza, Boston, Statler Park
- Chicago
- Date: Saturday, February 4
- Time and location TBD
- Los Angeles
- Date: Saturday, February 4
- Time and location TBD
- Miami
- Date: Saturday, February 4
- Time and location TBD
- New York
- Saturday, January 28
- Time: 12pm
- Location: The Arch at Washington Square Park
- San Francisco
- Sunday, February 5
- Time: 11am
- Location: Crissy Field
- Seattle
- Sunday, January 29
- Time: 9am
- Location: Bellevue Park
- Toronto
- Sunday, February 5
- Time: 12pm
- Location: Nathan Phillips Square
- Washington, DC
- Saturday, January 28
- Time: 12pm
- Location: Israeli Embassy to the United States
- Washington, DC
- Friday, February 3
- Time: 2pm
- Location: Van Ness Street next to the Israeli Embassy to the United States
